Best when unexpected.

 Yes. Somehow I have become that person that dresses their dog up.  It started when I visited my parents over Christmas.  They have a rough and tough winter dog, in addition to a thin skinned, short fur coat huntin dog.  My mom had purchased a jacket for the dog, and puts it on the poor dog every time she takes it outside.  "Because she comes in shivering from outside" Mom says, that and "she likes it."   Then there is my dog Milos, and the other day after having visited the rents, I could hear his teeth chattering after coming back inside, he had done this before too.  So I started with wrapping him up in my blanket, he didn't resist. Clearly it didn't stop there; and he didn't seem to mind.  God help me.  I'm THAT dog person now.

Lots of snow lately.  It just keeps coming and coming, it really makes Windy Knob a winter wonderland .  I love that I look out the back window and see the pastures and barn, and sure I long for the spring time green grass and warmer temperatures, but its nice to get out and snowshoe or ski on a sunny winter day.  The views are truly amazing and a blessing. 

The coolest thing happened to me the other day.  I received a gift.  No, stay with me, I know it was just Christmas and all, and sure it was technically a Christmas gift, but there is so much more to the story.  Of course Windy Knob has been selling yarn and fleeces and what not, and some of the customers are co-workers of mine.  Well, sure enough a woman in my office had purchase a couple of skeins of wool, one Mary Jo and one of Ella's.  Several weeks had past since she recieved them, and on the day before we all left for Christmas vacation, this co-worker of mine came up to me and wrapped this scarf around my neck and told me it was my present.

I'll try my best to describe that instant and the thoughts that went through my head.  My momma raised me right, please and thank you- yes sir, no maam; to be kind to others and to return favors.  But I'll admit, I'm a lot more likely to return a favor than I am to start one- know what I mean?  I instantly felt awkward with the pure joy. Why? Why would this woman do this I thought?  It's expected to get gifts from parents and siblings, spouses of course, and even good friends.  But just a co-worker? Why would she do something as nice as this.  Its not like she merely held the door open, or brought it cookies or something.  She spent a lot of time to create something amazing, and then just to give it away.  I flat out asked her.  Why? Surely she could tell my social awkwardness was kicking in, "why would you do this for me?"  Her reply was because she knew, she knew I would appreciate having something made from my own wool.

I just about teared up.  All I could do was offer a hug. To just do something like that, for no reason, was amazing.    It struck a chord in me, and challenged me to think about others more.  Not just the ones Im supposed to think about and do stuff for, but all people.  The scarf you guys is amazing.  The quality, the style, the soft feel of the wool around your neck on a cold winter's day.  Because she thought of me. Thats all, just cause.

Soon after the last day, I went to a bookstore searching for last minute gifts for family, I came across a new release of a book about a particular historical painter.  Instantly, I had thought of an aquaintance whom had a poster of said artist on his wall.  While I had every intention to express my gratitude to Ms. Scarf Knitter, I saw this as my chance to learn from her as well, and to pay it forward  (enter cheesy movie title echo here).  But seriously, it felt good to know that someone else would be surprised and they too could pass it on.  I can't take credit for it, I merely sustained it. So for what its worth.  The holidays are over, but there are still warm stories, and golden opportunities all around us.  Cheers.

My new Mary Jo and Ella wool scarf.  More special then one would think.